The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-30


seated him in a small reception-r room.
After few moments of waiting a portly, |
apoplectic- looking gentleman in dressing gown |
and slippers entered, studying the card with a |
bored expression.
II don't Der you Mr.. Norway he be-
gan. unceremoniousiy. But I'm told your
business is very important. What can do for
youl"
II have the honor. SIR said Norway, ser
ously and gently, "of representing the Pro and
Con- l have called for the purpose OF taking, II
such is your pleasure, a statement from you IN
regard to-"
Statement! I say statement" burst forth
the irate old gentleman forgetting in his wrath
to be grammatical. ''Do you take me for nat,
ural IDIOT Let me tell you.. young man, for
your own benefit, that I've had sixteen reporters
kicked down the steps; yes sir, and into the
street. within three days. The longer it takes
you to get out of the house the more help you
will be likely to receive on the way. james,
the black servant appeared. Norway walked
quietly into the hall, took his hat from the
rack, and, with his hand on the door-knob said.
with that firm but courteous manner so hard
for even the most violent to interrupt:
"Mr. Berthold, / came here in your own inter
est and in about The consulted his watch) an
hour and half shall return with the same
object in view, when 1 shall receive from your
own hands written statement for publication
in the Pro and Con. Good-day, sir"
Without waiting to note the effect Of his part
ing words he closed the door behind him, and,
haiiing a cab. was driven to the residence of Mr..
-
Here, through chance, admission was easy, for
| as Mr.. Berthold was expecting lawyer the
| maid took it for granted that Norway was he,
| and admitted him without question. Mr.. Ber-
| thold q tall, thn stately gentleman, sitting
! in a cosy library before bright CRATE fire, OBJ
served his visitor With surprise, but no visible
qualification.
MIR Berthold" said Norway, 81, as a repre-
sentative of the Pro and Con, have called to So
licit from you a statement in regard to the little
matter, hints of which are now floating about
town. The Pro and Con desires to publish moth
| ing but truth. and it is for this reason that
| have intruded upon you in person."
| II have nothing whatever to say to you,' said
| Mr. Berthod, with cold glare Il do not con-
| slider it necessary that my private affairs shall
be made the subject of public discussion. de-
| sire you to leave Immediately; and, as for the
Pro and Con, to which am a subscriber, shall
stop the paper"
Every we'll. sir" said Norway courteously.
He bowed, and seemed about to leave the room,
when second thought presented itself. He
| paused, and added incidentally:
II called in the hope that you might leave
with me some slight expression, at least of your
views in the case, il order that our article may
| dence of your brother, Mr.. Amos Berthold, and
am going back in half an hour to receive his
statement, and
What! What! Ny brother writing state
ment did you say2" cried Mr.. Berthold, rising
! excitedy. 'Aha Sit down, young man, sit
down"
Norway sat down. AS he did so he saw, half
concealed by the heavy curtains before the win
dow, young lady standing in the shadow of the
heavy draperies. who had evidently been listen
ing with much interest to the proceedings. Her
profile was turned toward him, but even at that
point of view Norway perceived that she looked
disturbed if not angry. But it was not that
which most attracted his attention. There was
something strangely familiar in the poise of the
head, the fluffy waves of DIRK hair, the contour
of the pretty mouth and chin. Why did it
bring SO wildly 10 his mind a certain night
seven years ago. with sound of roaring flames
falling walls. and the clasp of pair of soft
white armsi At that moment Mr.. Berthold ex-
cused himself in order to look MP some impor-
tant papers that had been mslaid; and as he
left the room the curtains parted, and the youn g
lady advanced into the room. AS she faced
+ him Norway doubted no longer. 1t
was his protege of the fire. Changed,
certainly; for instead Of timid,
frightened school girl here was stately, beau
tiful woman. Norway had heard of Miss Ber-
| thold, who would have been decided belle, only
for a certain exclusyeness that hedged her a,
or rather hedged others out. hut he never met
her formally. But a sense of guilt stole over
him, deprivins him of the pleasure which the
|, Miss Berthold was attred in a dark wine -colored
velvet made plain and closely fitting. which
!. seemed to add to her height and to render her
more imposing. AS she confronted him. she
transfxed the unhappy young man with mag
nifice mt look of min gled scOrn and Indignation.
Sir she said. have you mothers"
NO. said Norway, who had arisen at her ap-
, proach, Il have no mother
'Have you sisters"
J | mo; sister,"
t "Have you a wife. them persisted the young
lady, with growing resentment.
NO" said Norway, and his own voice sounded
stran gely to him. II have no wife"
, swell. have you hearth she asked at last in
4 desperation
The young man was silent. Tie looked at her
but for once he found it impossible to sneak O.
Sha hoH f1ff arlv ha.
expected that. But it seemed to him, now the,
4 were once more face to face. that the night o
the fire was but yesterday. instead of sever
0 years past Something in his face, grave, earn
est and almost appealing, touched the youn!
q | lady with slight wonder
What mean is how can you do such gs}
( she went on, for. having gone far. she wa
unable to stop.
What THINGS"
!, "Why, pry into other peoples secrets. Pap
4 said it would kill him If it should get out. An
tomorrow it will be ali town, and in tn
: paper. Oh! Oh! You are cruel You ar
d heartless. You cannot be a gentleman"
8 Words fail to describe Norway's sensations a
t ne listened. He had sometimes been guilty o
i indulging in romantic dreams of the time whe
Q no might, perchance, meet his unknown pro
: tege, but they had never pictured the event uu
t der conditions like these. In his misery an
humiliation he was fain to put the burden of re
sponsibility on Mr.. Thorne; and if thought
o conld kill, 1t is probable that the Pro and Co
would have been suddenly deprived of its abb
e and enterprising editor But at that momen
l. Norway took a desperate resolve
r ''Miss Berthod" he said .have you eve
heard the story of the wise foe and the FOOLS
II frendf'
p mo. sir" said tho young lady, colby
"Will you kindly allow me to relate it, Will
d am watinel Thank you. A certain king VIII
:, lived in ancient times had favorite ape. Tn
}, animal was very fond of him, and was with hir
d night AMI day. One night rohber eft tied a
= entrance into the royal chamber, in the hop
% that he might escape with of the cour
- jewels. As he entered. huge spider descende
]. from the ceiling its invisible web and droppe
l. upon the forehead of the sleeping king. Tn
., ape, enraged that so vile thing should touc
,, his beloved master, seized . stout staff whic
is-x<-. aai. =. / 4